Toy boat and driving means therefor



J. KRYNlCKl TOY BOAT AND DRIVING MEANS THEREFOR Oct. 18, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 50, 1964 INVENTOR. KrynZc/aI Job/1 BY Oct. 18, 1966 J. KRYNlCKl TOY BOAT AND DRIVING MEANS THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 30, 1964 R m. m m

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a l I z 4 1 4. o a 3 n. m m 4 r W m 1 m a M wc I n a a m 5 w u is m wsu g w 7 I 4w 3 6 6 w a Oct. 18, 1966 J. KRYNICKI 3,279,120

TOY BOAT AND DRIVING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Sept 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 80 5 70 Fig- 5. E

INVENTOR.

/o/m Krym'eA'L' United States Patent Office 3,279,120 Patented Oct. 18, 1966 3,279,120 TOY BOAT AND DRIVING MEANS THEREFOR John Krynicki, 417 E. 70th St., New York, N.

' Filed Sept. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 400,356

16 Claims. (Cl. 46-93) This invention relates generally to boats and more particularly to toy boats and apparatus for propelling small boats.

An object of the present invention is to provide a boat of the gondola type driven by a continuously operated paddle wheel powered by moving water provided by Archimedean screws actuated initially by a spring motor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a marine propulsion apparatus which achieves a very high degree of safety, particularly for people in the water through which the exposed propeller or other rotating parts.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such apparatus which allows operation of the boat in very shallow water.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a marine propulsion apparatus which provides for control of the speed of the boat.

Still another object is the provision of marine propulsion apparatus which is so located that it provides more usable free space on the top deck of the boat.

A further object of the invention is the provision of marine propulsion wherein the gravity flow of water is utilized as an assisting or auxiliary power in the propulsion of the boat.

A still further object of the invent-ion is to provide a marine propulsion apparatus with an adjustably mounted overshot paddle wheel.

Yet another object is to provide a marine propulsion apparatus with simple and positive braking mechanism.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a rear perspective view of a gondola type boat embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the gear driving mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2, parts being shown broken away.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 4, parts being broken away.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a modified form of means for raising water to a point above the paddle wheel.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of a detail of the means of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan mechanism for the means of FIG. 8.

Referring now in detail to the various views of the drawings, in FIG. 1 a boat of the gondola type embodying one form of the invention is illustrated and designated generally at 10. The boat is shown formed of wood and has a hull comprising a flat bottom 12, flat sides 14, 14, curved prow 16, curved stern 18 and fiat top deck 20. The top deck extends rearwardly beyond the stern 18 providing an overhang portion 22. An ornament 24 repview of the driving boat moves, by reason of having no inclined tube 72 supported at resenting a beakhead projects upwardly from the top of the prow 16 at its center. A chain 26 extends around the front and middle of the top deck and is supported by spaced upright posts 28.

A paddle wheel assembly 30 is positioned under the overhang portion 22 of the top deck rearwardly of the stern and is adjustably supported and protected by the overhang portion. The paddle wheel assembly 30 comprises a pair of over-shot paddle wheels 32, 32 fixedly mounted side by side in closely spaced relation on a common center shaft 34 arranged transversely and journalled in elongated closed slots 36 in bracket arms 40 depending from the overhang portion 22 of the top deck and fastened thereto by rivets 42. Each paddle wheel .32 consists of a pair of end discs 44, 44 connected by arms 46 curved in section or end elevation as will be clear particularly from FIG. 1. Each arm 46 is bent angularly at its outer end forming flat radial blades 48 spaced around the wheel. The blades are of rectangular form so as to move edgeways through the water which forces the boat forwardly. The paddle wheels rotate freely under the overhang portion 22.

The pair of paddle wheels 32, 33 is arranged to be driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6 by means of a suitable driving belt 50 trained about a pulley 52 fastened on shaft 34 in the space between the pair of paddle wheels. The belt 50 passes through an opening 54 in the center of the overhang portion 22 spaced forwardly of the rear end thereof and is trained over a pulley 56 fixed on a shaft 58 journalled in spaced brackets 60, 61 fixed on the top surfaces of the overhang portion and extending upwardly therefrom. A spur gear 62 is fixedly mounted on shaft 58 rearwardly of the pulley 56. A motor in the form of a convolute spring 64 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 58 rearwardly of the gear 62. The spring is arranged at a slight angle to the vertical with the end of its outermost convolution 66 fixed to a plate 67 secured to the top surface of the overhang portion 22. The end of the innermost convolution 69 is suitably fixed to the shaft 58. The spring motor is adapted to be wound by means of a crank 68 secured to the protruding rear end of the shaft 58.

In order to aid the spring motor 64 in propelling the boat, a pair of Archimedean screws 70, 70, one at each side of the hull, is provided above and in alignment with the paddle wheels 32, 32. Each screw 70 comprises an one end by the edges of an opening 74 in the overhang portion 22 of the top deck 20 and supported at its other or bottom end by the edges of an opening 76 formed in the bottom wall 12 of the hull at its juncture with the stern 16. An elongated cylinder in the form of a screw 78 extends through the tube 72 with its ends protruding beyond the ends of the tube. A spur gear 80 is fastened on the protruding upper end of the screw, and its bottom end is immersed in the water W. The extreme upper end of the screw is supported by a bracket 81. The upper end of each tube 72 is positioned above an opening 84 in the overhead portion 22 which openings are in line with the radiating blades 48 of'the paddle wheels. By causing the screws 78 to revolve the water is raised to the upper ends thereof and discharged through the openings 84 onto the blades 48 of the paddle wheels as will be clear from FIG. 6.

Braking mechanism is provided for cont-rolling the propulsion mechanism and takes the form of a foot pedal pivotally mounted on a bracket 92 secured to the .top surface of the overhang portion 22 between the pulley 56 and one of the adjacent screws 70, the right hand screw as viewed in FIG. 3. The pedal carries a rubber block 94 shaped to fit between the pulley and adjacent screw so as to engage the peripheral edges thereof and 3 prevent rotation of the handle 96 of the pedal, the block is swung to operative braking position and by pushing down on the handle,

or steering vane 100 which is suitably fixed on a vertically extending shaft 102 which passes through a tubular bearing 104 secured to the under surface of the top deck 20 by means of an annular flange 106, the bearing shaft extending through the interior of the hulL- The shaft extends outwardly of the bottom wall 12 and supports the vane 100 which is of suitable height and length to provide free turning. A tube 106' is sleeved around the top end of shaft 102 above the overhang portion 22 of the top deck 20 and fixed on the top end of the shaft there is a radially extending tiller arm 108 by means of which the shaft may be turned from a central position to one extending angularly thereto- The tiller arm may be formed with a suitable knob 110 for direct manual operation from a distance. The arm 108 is provided with a pointer 112 adapted to move horizontally from the central position indicated by on a scale 114 constituted by a semicircular plate 116 formed on the top of a bracket 118 fixed on the top surface of the overhang portion 22, to any desired degree angularly thereof as indicated by the numerals l, 2 and 3 on the scale as seen in FIG. 3.

The spring motor, shafting, gearing, braking and steering mechanism may be suitably enclosed by a removable casing 120 for cleanliness and safety. A star wheel 122 may be mounted on the outer protruding end of the shaft 58 outside of the casing for appearance sake.

In operation, the spring motor 64 having first been wound, the braking mechanism is released by means of the pedal 90 whereupon the spring motor drives the paddle wheels 32, 32 by means of the belt 50 and shaft 34, and simultaneously drives the gear 62 by means of the belt 59 and shaft 58, whereupon the gear 62 drives the gears 80, 80 on the Archimedean screws 70, 70 thereby turning said screws. Upon turning of the screws, the water is raised to the top ends of the screws and dis charged through said upper ends and through the open ings 84 onto the :blades 48 of the paddle wheels 32, 32.

Upon rotation of the paddle wheels 32, 32, the blades 48 develop a strong stream flowing against the hull thereby driving the boat forward.

The spring motor 64 may be readily wound manually by turning the crank 68 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7.

Referring now to the modification of the invention shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, inclusive, this boat differs from the boat 10 of FIG. 1 in extending the paddle wheels 32' outwardly of the sides 14' of the hull.

of the boat and in substituting for the Archimedean screws 70, a pair of tubes 126 and a pair of endless belts 128 alongside the sides of the hull, the tubes and belts being disposed over. the protruding ends of the paddle wheels. The tubes 126 are disposed at an inclination to the vertpulley. By pulling upon the.

I hanging portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the 142. The beltjtravels around the rollers 136, 1138,3140

and carries rollers 150 spaced therealong and extending outwardly therefrom on brackets 152 suitably secured across the belt. The belts are disposed above and. along the tubes 126 and are so spaced that the rollers 150 i engage and squeeze the tubes during the upward travel i of the belts thereby forcing water upwardly of the tubes,

outwardly of the open top ends of the tubes and downwardly onto the blades of the paddle wheels 32 thereby turning the paddle wheels for driving the boat.

While I have illustrated and. described the preferred embodiments of my invention, 'it is to :be understood that l donot limit myself to the precise constructionshereim disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck,

a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overhanding portionin aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, spring motor means operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, and auxiliary driving means for said paddle wheels initially actuated by saidspring motor means, said driving means including means disposed to convey water from below the water line of said hull and f to dispense saidwater againstthepaddles of. said paddle wheels.

2. Ina boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from said over,-

, stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels tical and are supported on inclined elongated plates 130 suitably secured to the sides 14' of the hull. The upper. open ends of the tube are disposed above and in alignment with the blades of the paddle wheels, and the, bot:

tom ends of the tubes are immersed in the water W.

The endless belts 128 are supported by an upper shaft 132 suitably supported transversely of the overhang portion 22' of the hull and by bottom shafts 134 suitably supported by the sidesof the hull. Drive rollers 136 are fixed on the ends of the top shaft 132 and driven includes the shaft 132 and meshes with the bevel gear for driving the same, and Archimedean screw means operatively connected to saidspring motor to convey water from below the'waterline of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels.

3. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a readwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overhanging portion in aligned relation, .rearwardly of i the 1 stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels 1 for driving the same, andArchimedean screw means operatively connected to said spring motor to convey water from below the waterline of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, the paddle wheels having'a common shaft, the operative connection between the spring motor and the wheels including a shaft connected at one end to said spring motor, a pulley fixed on the other end of the shaft, a pulley on i the common shaft of the paddle wheels and a belt con-I necting said pulleys.

4. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overaligned relation, rearwardly of the;

hanging portion in stem, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, and 'Archimedean screw means operatively connected to said spring motor to convey water from below the water line of'said hull and to dispense said water against the paddlesof said paddle wheels,

the operative connection between the spring r'notorand theArchimedean screw means including a shaft having one end connected to the thereby, gears onone end of the screw means and a gear on said shaft in mesh with the gears on the screw means.

5. "In a boat, a'hull having a top rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck,

a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overhanging portion in aligned. relation, rearwardly of the stern,;a

spring motor operatively connected to said wheels-for driving the same, and Archimedean screw means operatrvely connected to said spring motor to convey water from below the water 'line. of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, the

spring motor and rotated,

deck, a stern and a.

paddle wheels having a common shaft, the operative connection between the spring motor and the wheels including a shaft connected at one end to said spring motor, a pulley fixed on the other end of the latter shaft, a pulley on the common shaft of the wheels and a belt connecting said pulley, gears on one end of the screw means and a gear on spring motor shaft in mesh with the gears on the screw means.

6. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern, side walls, and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overhanging portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, Archimedean screw means extending along the side walls of the hull inwardly thereof to convey water from below the water line of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, and gearing operatively connecting the spring motor and said screw means.

7. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overhanging portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, and Archimedean screw means operatively connected to said spring motor to convey water from below the water line of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, the paddle wheels having a common shaft, the operative connection between the spring motor and the wheels including a shaft connected at one end to said spring motor, a pulley fixed on the other end of the shaft, a pulley on the common shaft of the paddle wheels and a belt connecting said pulleys, and means for steering the boat.

8. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from-said overhanging portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, and Archimedean screw means operatively connected to said spring motor to convey water from below the water line of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, the paddle wheels having a common shaft, the operative connection between the'spring motor and the wheels including a shaft connected at one end to said spring motor, a pulley fixed on the other end of the latter shaft, a pulley on the common shaft of the paddle wheels and a belt connecting said pulleys, and breaking means for controlling the operation of the paddle wheels and Archimedean screw means.

9. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overhanding portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, and Archimedean screw means operatively connected to said spring motor to convey water from below the water line of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, the paddle wheels having a common shaft, the operative connection between the spring motor and the wheels including a shaft connected at one end to said spring motor, a pulley fixed on the other end of the latter shaft, a pulley on the common shaft of the paddle wheels and a belt connecting said pulleys, braking means for controlling the operation of the paddle wheels and Archimedean screw means, and means for steering the boat.

10. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanding portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overhanging portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, and Archimedean screw means operatively connected to said spring motor and the wheels to convey water from below the water line of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, the paddle wheels having a common shaft, the operative connection between the screws and the spring motor and wheels including a shaft connected at one end to said spring motor, a pulley fixed on the other end of the latter shaft, a pulley on the common shaft of the paddle wheels and a belt connecting said pulleys, and means for steering the boat, said steering means including a shaft extending through the hull projecting above the top deck and below the bottom of the hull, a vane on the bottom projecting end of the latter shaft, and a radiating tiller arm secured to the top end of the latter shaft.

11. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overhanging portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, and Archimedean screw means operatively connected to said spring motor and the wheels to convey water from below the water line of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, the paddle wheels having a common shaft, the operative connection between the screws and the spring motor and wheels including a shaft connected at one end to said spring motor, a pulley fixed on the other end of the latter shaft, a pulley on the common shaft of the paddle wheels and a belt connecting said pulleys and means for steering the boat, said steering means including a shaft extending through the hull projecting above the top deck and below the bottom of the hull, a vane on the bottom projecting end of the latter shaft, and a radiating tiller arm secured to the top end of the latter shaft, an upstanding bracket fixed on the top deck adjacent the end of the tiller arm and a plate with a scale thereon supported on the top of the bracket and positioned under the end of the tiller arm for indicating degree of movement of the boat from the center course.

12. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overhanging portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, and Archimedean screw means operatively connected to said spring motor to convey water from below the water line of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, the paddle wheels having a common shaft, the operative connection between the spring motor and the wheels including a shaft connected at one end to said spring motor, a pulley fixed on the other end of the latter shaft, a pulley on the common shaft of the paddle wheels and belt connecting said pulleys, braking means for controlling the operation of the paddle wheels and the Archimedean screw means, and means for steering the boat, said spring motor constituted by a convolute spring and a crank operatively connected to the spring for winding the same.

13. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from said overhanging portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, and Archimedean screw means operatively connected to said spring motor and the wheels to convey water from below the water line of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, the paddle wheels having a common shaft, the operative connection between the screws and the spring motor and wheels including a shaft connected at one end to said spring motor, a pulley fixed on the other end of the latter shaft, a pulley on the common shaft on the paddle Wheels and a belt connecting said pulleys and means for steering the boat, said steering means including a shaft extending through the hull projecting above the top deck and below the bottom of the hull, a vane on the bottom projecting end of the latter shaft, anda radiating tiller arm secured to the top end of the latter shaft, an upstanding bracket fixed on the top deck adjacent the end of the tiller arm and'a plate with 'a scale thereon supported on the top of the bracket and positioned under the end of the tiller arm for indicating degree of movement of the boat from the center course, said spring constituted by a convolute spring and a crank operatively, connected to the spring for winding the same.

14. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from and ,ad-

justably connected to said overhanging portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same, ,and Archimedean screw means operatively connected to said spring motor to convey water from below the water line of said hull and to dispense said water against the, paddles of said paddle wheels, said paddle wheels having a common shaft, the adjustable connection between the paddle wheels and overhanging portion including a pair of brackets fixed at the top end thereof to the overhanging portion, said brackets having central elongated slots receiving the ends of the common shaft therealong and means for holding the shaft against displacement in the slots.

bottom wall, side walls, and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle Wheels depending from and secured to said overhanging portion in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, said wheels extending beyond the side walls of the hull, a spring motor operatively connected to said wheels for driving the same,

a pair of flexible tubes supported along the outer surface 15. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern and 8 water from below the water line of said hull and to dispense said water against the paddles of said, paddle wheels, and means for moving said endless belt means around.

16. In a boat, a hull having a top deck, a stern, a bottom Wall, side walls, and a rearwardly extending overhanging portion on the top deck, a pair of paddle wheels depending from and secured to said overhanging'porti'on 'in aligned relation, rearwardly of the stern, said wheels extending beyond the side Wallsof the hull, a spring motor operatively connected to said w-heels for driving the same,

a pair of flexible tubes supported along the outer surface of the side walls of the hull, at an angle to the vertical, one end of the tubes extending to the top deck above the paddle wheels, the other bottom end of the tubes extend-1 1 ing below the bottom wall of the hull and immersed in water, and endless belt means disposed above each tube 1 and carrying rollers engageable with the tube to convey water from below the water line of said hull and to dis-, 1

pense said water against the paddles of said paddle wheels, and means for moving said endless belt means around, including a shaft connected to the spring motor and turnable thereby, a bevel gear on the end extending transversely of the overhang portion and supported thereby, rollers fixed on the ends of the transverse shaft and supporting the endless belt means and a bevel gear fixed on said transverse shaft in mesh with the bevel gear on the spring motor shaft whereby the endless belt means are moved.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,533,634 4/1925 Chellman 46-93 1,539,906 6/1925 Kleinohle 46-93 FOREIGN PATENTS 607,263 8/1958 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. L. J. BOVASSO, Assistant Examiner.

of said shaft, a shaft 

1. IN A BOAT, A HULL HAVING A TOP DECK, A STERN AND A REARWARDLY EXENDING OVERHANGING PORTION ON THE TOP DECK, A PAIR OF PADDLE WHEELS DEPENDING FROM SAID OVERHANDLING PORTION IN ALIGNED RELATION, REARWARDLY OF THE STERN, SPRING MOTOR MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID WHEELS FOR DRIVING THE SAME, AND AUXILIARY DRIVING MEANS FOR SAID PADDLE WHEELS INITIALLY ACTUATED BY SAID SPRING MOTOR MEANS, SAID DRIVING MEANS INCLUDING MEANS DISPOSED TO 